Improvement in tooth-picks



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No 195,664, Patented Sept. 25,1877.

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JAMES s. sMITH, OF MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOOTH-PICKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 196,664, dated September 25, 1877 application filed February 19, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES S. SMITH, of Middletown, Middlesex county', in the State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements relating to Tooth-Picks, of which the following is a specification:

I make a tooth-pick and case in two parts adapted to be combined. I form the whole of sheet metal. Machinery may be used and the work conducted with great rapidity, so that' large quantities may be manufactured at small cost.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 shows the case in side view. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the case. Fig. 3 shows the sheet metal for the pick-flat. Fig. 4 shows the pick completely formed and inserted in the case for use. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are cross-sections of the pick in the planes opposite thereto in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 shows the pick reversed in the case for carriage in the pocket and Fig. 10 shows the pick in the act of being cleaned by having its point drawn through the joint of the case.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

I cut, by shears or suitable dies, a great number of pieces of sheet metal of rectangular form, and curl them up by a tube-forming machine. so as to cause the edges on b to nearly, but not quite, come together. The piece thus formed (marked M) serves as the case and handle.

I out also a great number of pieces having one end pointed, as indicated in Fig. 3. These are then curled up by a tube-forming or other machine, causing the edges 0 d preferably to abut together. These edges may be soldered and nicely finished, if preferred, in any case. But I esteem it sufficient to leave them simply abutting against each other. 'Ihepoint or narrow end 0, being flattened a little by any suitable machinery, is admirably adapted to serve as a tooth-pick.

The part first described may be designated collectively by the letter M. The part last described may be designated collectively by the letter P. The part P may be inserted into an end of the part M, either end foremost. When the point e is inserted and the parts are forced together in that position the device is adapted for carriage in the pocket. When the reverse end is inserted the case M serves as an extension or handle for the part P, and the device is then in condition for use.

When either end is inserted the elasticity of the part M is rendered available to allow the parts to be thrust in farther than would be otherwise practicable. The open joint between the edges a b springs open a little when either end of the part P is inserted. The slit or narrow open joint between the edges 00 b may be further available to clean the point of the tooth-pick by drawing it through, as indicated in Fig. 10.

I claim as my invention The metallic case M, having the continuous slot on b, in combination with the tooth-pick P, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

In'testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of February, 1877, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES S. SMITH.

Witnesses:

W. L. BENNEM, CHAS. O. STETsoN. 

